The Billikens (12-4, 1-1 A-10) were led by Rob Loe, who registered the first double-double of his career with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Dwayne Evans chipped in nine points and pulled down a team-season-high 13 rebounds.

SLU was hampered by a season-low shooting percentage from the field, connecting on 34.5 percent (20-58) of its shots. The Bills also shot a season-low 19 percent (4-21) from 3-point range and converted just 58.8 percent of its free throws.

The Billikens got off to a 4-0 start thanks to buckets by Evans and Cory Remekun. Temple responded with an 11-2 run to go ahead 11-6, but Loe answered with a pair of treys and the Billikens led 12-11 a little more than five minutes into the game. That was the last time the Billikens would have the lead, however, as Temple maintained an advantage the rest of the way.

Saint Louis, which was playing its first road game since Nov. 28, did not go down quietly. The Bills trailed by 11 late in the first half, but a layup by Cody Ellis and another Loe 3-pointer trimmed their deficit to six. Temple went into halftime with a 34-26 lead.

In the second half, Temple again built a double-digit lead, but the Billikens remained in the game and clawed back to within three at the 11:37 mark when Ellis converted a layup and Loe dunked.

SLU had several more spurts down the stretch. Consecutive baskets by Loe and Mike McCall Jr. made it a four-point game at 7:45. Later, SLU went on an 8-3 run after a Loe tip-in, an Ellis traditional 3-point play and a Kwamain Mitchell 3-pointer and trailed by four with two minutes remaining.

With less than a minute left, Evans scored and McCall Jr. hit two free throws and again trailed by just four, but SLU was unable to get over the hump and Temple made its free throws down the stretch to post the 10-point victory.

Loe finished 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range. In the first half, he was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and connected on all three of his chances from beyond the arc.

Saint Louis returns to action next Saturday, Jan. 19, when it welcomes Rhode Island to Chaifetz Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.